Potters tight-lipped over Beattie

Stoke striker James Beattie's future remains unclear, with the club reluctant to comment on reports of an alleged dressing-room bust-up between the player and manager Tony Pulis.

Mixed messages having been delivered following a row over the players' Christmas party in London at the weekend.

Sources close to the club say Beattie has apologised to Pulis over the incident, which is said to have occurred after the 2-0 defeat at Arsenal on Saturday. However, the player's advisor told Sky Sports News it was Pulis who apologised to the players for his conduct.

The situation might become clearer on Thursday when Pulis hosts a media briefing ahead of the Barclays Premier League clash with Wigan on Saturday.

The pair are believed to have had a heated exchange at the Emirates Stadium, with claims that Pulis went back on his word to give his side Monday off.

Training went ahead as scheduled - with Beattie going to the gym as he has a knee problem - and a team meeting was called between players and management.

There are suggestions that Beattie might now be looking to leave Stoke.

The only comment on the row has come from club chairman Peter Coates, who said: "As far as the club is concerned, this is an internal matter and will be dealt with internally."